Jim Souhan analyzes the local sports scene and advises you to never take his betting advice. He likes old guitars and old music, never eats press box hot dogs, and can be heard on 1500ESPN at 2:05 p.m. weekdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m.-noon.

Posts about Sage Rosenfels

My latest Sport SORT (Series of Random Thoughts) following the Vikings' 27-10 victory over the Lions on Sunday at the Metrodome:

-We asked Brad Childress if Adrian Peterson could have done anything to prevent the fumble on his breakaway run, and he said that if this were a new stadium with a huge Jumbotron in each end zone, Adrian would have been able to see the defender coming up behind him.

I asked Brad if he was blaming the taxpayers of Minnesota for Peterson's fumble. He said, ``Whoever is responsible for us not having a Jumbotron.''

-I came out of this game really liking Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford. He took a severe beating from the Vikings' defensive line, avoided a handful of sacks, threw well on the run, displayed a strong arm and rallied his team to make a game of it.

The key will be keeping him healthy. I covered the 1989 Dallas Cowboys during Troy Aikman's rookie year, and if he had played in every game, his career would have ended with zero Super Bowl rings.

-It's amazing how much this season's offensive success _ and Brett Favre, of course _ have changed our perceptions about the Vikings. Last year when they struggled against the Lions, they won 12-10, largely because of a bad call.

This year, when they ``struggled'' against the Lions at home, they won, 27-10; their quarterback passed for 344 yards; their running back ran for 133; their top receiver gained 201; and they didn't throw an interception.

Now, that's the way to struggle.

-Don't be surprised if you see a few more lackluster efforts down the stretch. Players can't perform at their peak every week; it goes against human nature.

-Best quote of the day, from tight end Visanthe Shiancoe: ``We're not trying to be 9-1; we're trying to be 15-1...We're trying to build an empire.''

-Gawd, I hate the Dome. Beautiful day, maybe one of the last of the winter, and we sat under Teflon watching the stinking Lions.

-Childress said Ray Edwards has quietly had a good year.

-Vikings fans are right, by the way: The safeties simply don't make enough plays. When the defensive line puts pressure on the quarterback and the safeties don't even come close to making interceptions, they lack range and instincts.

-I understand fan anger of the penalty to Ray Edwards for launching himself at the quarterback's head, but I am completely in favor of officials protecting quarterbacks. Because, if they don't, we will spend a lot of Sunday afternoons watching John David Booty quarterback against Sage Rosenfels.